Good initiation record praised

NOT one initiate had died in Nelson Mandela Bay in the past eight years, a welcome contrast to other parts of the country, Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane said yesterday.

He visited 170 initiates in KwaMagxaki with the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders’ Chief Lwandubuzwe Ngwekazi, ANC national executive committee member Zizi Kodwa, health officials, municipal officials and traditional surgeons and nurses.

At least 19 initiates have died in other parts of the province since the beginning of the initiation season this month.

Many of the initiates died from dehydration and starvation.

In Mpumalanga, police are investigating the deaths of 29 initiates, 27 of whom police believe were murdered.

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